Whiting: Spike in trail rage prompts etiquette reminders

June 25, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

1 of 7

It's easy for large numbers of people to enjoy the parks without incident. This group shifted to the side when a mountain biker was ready to descend this hill in O'Neill Regional Park. BY DAVID WHITING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

Althought this is mid-race during the Ride for Rwanda, these mountain bikers stop to work their way around the people on horseback. Less than a few minutes is all it takes for trail etiquette. BY DAVID WHITING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

Signs make trail courtesy clear: Cyclists yield to everyone. Horses always have the right of way. Those on foot yield to horses. BY DAVID WHITING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

Orange County offers hundreds of miles of trails. Here, a line extends next to a pond in South County. The hikers stepped aside for others to pass. BY DAVID WHITING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

This three-generation family of hunters was kind enough to clear the trail for a passing mountian biker -- although cyclists should yield to people on foot. Yes, it's legal to hunt in the Cleveland National Forest where this photo was taken. BY DAVID WHITING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

Caution is the rule for trail etiquette. You never know what you'll come across. Here, a father and daughter take a baby on a hike using a stroller. BY DAVID WHITING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 7

New hikers - and there are many - tend to favor the center of trails. When possible, it's best to favor the side, allowing room for others to pass. This photo shows the beach path in San Clemente. BY DAVID WHITING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

It's easy for large numbers of people to enjoy the parks without incident. This group shifted to the side when a mountain biker was ready to descend this hill in O'Neill Regional Park.BY DAVID WHITING, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

On great days, we feel like kids when we play outdoors. Job and financial concerns melt away, and we're 12 again.

But let's be sure to maintain our adult manners when we slip into our middle school mindsets.

I'm not sure why, but I'm getting more than the usual number of emails about dangerous and rude conduct. And I'm seeing more than my usual dose of boorish behavior.

Yes, some name-calling, obscenity-swearing trail outdoor types feel the same about me.

And they're not shy about using barroom brawl language – even with children around.

KID CROSSING

Consider this email from Yorba Linda resident Mary Peralta about an incident on the Santa Ana River trail.

"Yesterday evening around 5 p.m., my husband and I thought we would take advantage of the balmy weather and take a walk.

"We took our two children, ages 9 and 10. Also with us were our three nieces ages 5, 7 and 9, an infant grandson and our two dogs.

"As you can imagine, keeping our little menagerie together was quite a task. We had to repeatedly tell the children to stay on the right-hand side of the path. But they were so excited that they wandered over to the 'wrong side' of the path. About 15 minutes into our walk, the children's animated chatter was suddenly silenced by loud bellows from behind us. Two Lance Armstrong wannabes were yelling 'MOVE!' and 'GET OUTTA THE WAY!'

"The children were startled and scrambled to the dirt shoulders on either side of the path. My 5-year-old niece was nearly run over when she made a last-second dash across the path to join her sisters.

"This elicited some colorful language that should never be directed toward children.

"My husband and I were shocked and angry. Later, we came upon a trail marker that showed that bicyclists are supposed to yield to equestrians and to pedestrians."

Lesson: Kids zig and zag. They are unpredictable. Adults should slow down whenever kids are present.

Tip: Encourage kids to play outside. Offer a hearty, "Good job!"

MOUNTAIN MADNESS

Why is it that when somebody complains to me about outdoor manners, it's usually about road cyclists or mountain bikers?

I'm not saying that all mountain bikers are bullies. The overwhelming majority would rather crash into cactus than harm anyone.

But if there's a problem, it always seems to involve a mountain biker or roadie scaring someone on horseback or foot.

The worst area in Orange County? Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.

Through the years, I've had dozens of emails, online comments and phone calls from trail runners and hikers who are too afraid to return to Aliso Woods.

Their complaint is the same: A mountain biker nearly hit them, and they were terrified.

In many cases, they report the cyclist cussed them out. In a few instances, people said they were hit.

Fortunately, none reported being seriously injured.

Still, this is bad for everyone. The few bullies scare away the many. And the few idiots end up hurting the image of the majority of the patient, polite people who pedal.

Here's my theory why some mountain bikers scream and scold:

They ride in fear.

Here's my solution: Stay off trails that are beyond your ability.

Those roadies on the Santa Ana River Trail? They were afraid to slow down, to give kids their rightful right of way.

Why were they afraid to go slow? They fear losing.

So ride with confidence and grace.

Simple? You'd think.

MOST ARE POLITE

I'll share three short stories of my own, um, challenges. But first a disclaimer to offer context to the problems.

I average about 30-40 miles a week on trails, some on horseback, some on mountain bike, most running.

In the last 12 months, I've encountered hundreds of equestrians, runners and hikers. In all but three instances, our interactions were warm with friendly chats, shared howdys, words of encouragement.

So three unpleasant experiences is relatively minimal. But I'm for zero tolerance. The outdoors is our patch of paradise, a respite from the rush of family life and the pressures of professional life.

SAY HI, MR. MANNERS

Mr. Manners is the fellow I mentioned briefly in a column about picking up trash. Mr. Manners talks trash.

I am running. He is riding. He and his mountain biking partner stop at a shallow road-width wide stream. A family crosses in the opposite direction.

I run through. Some water apparently splashes on Mr. Manners. I don't know this until he catches up with me and yells a series of obscenities.

He repeats his descriptions of alleged interactions with my mother, turns around and charges at me on his bike. A few feet away, I snap a photo. He stops and angrily says that I intentionally got him wet.

Lesson: Whatever happens outdoors, it's not personal.

Tip: Avoid confusing a cyclist's dust, horse droppings or splashed water with a premeditated assault.

POISON OAK, ANYONE?

On a single-track trail, a mountain biker behind me screams the f-word. He wants me to get out of his way.

I'll mention I always step aside for mountain bikers. As a pedestrian, I have the right of way. But the cyclist might not be very skilled.

This time, however, the sides of the trail are covered with poison oak.

I stop and asked the cyclist to repeat what he's said. It gets uglier.

Lesson: The "jerk" slowing you down may have a reason for not stepping aside.

Tip: Wait until there's a widening and savor the extra few seconds in the outdoors.

TO MP3 OR NOT...

It's last Friday evening and I'm running along an old road mostly covered with baseball-size rocks. A relatively smooth and worn area threads through.

I've biked this section more than a hundred times, riding over the rocks and passing hikers with four feet of space.

A mountain biker comes up behind and effectively forces me off the path. Far to one side, I run in weeds.

The rider pulls up next to me and shouts how dumb I am wearing earbuds.

I mention the width of the trail, and that I have the right of way.

His reply? "Smart ass."

Lesson: Learn to pedal over small rocks before tackling rough roads or trials.

Tip: Listen to a song I often run to. It's by Kid Rock: "Fast, on a rough road riding / High, through the mountains climbing..."

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.